Game Strips?

[CorkyJohn 808]

Our farm consists of mainly hedgerows & we were wondering if it was worth planting game strips to widen them & provide more cover/food. Any advice appreciated as its something we've no knowledge/experience of. Thanks

[cammy12 176]

they can make a huge difference to a shoot, pheasants love that type of cover, we got a few kale strips and what difference for holding your birds. I know a keeper who gets grants to put in stuff called bird crop it can last up to 3 years with loads of self seeding plants like linseed, rape, kale mustard etc the birds just want to be in these areas and good for wild broods too. kale is good as you can let the farmer graze it in feb to fatten lambs.

[Dave C 63]

As above Kale strips are good and also Cannary Grass is very good.

[gonetoearth 5,144]

Its all about positioning , And choise of. Game crop A good mix will provide cover and holding potential. A few hoppers in the right place will add to the potential but watch out for rats a free food supply will attract them , try and plan. You. Game crops so the birds can be flushed to other areas on you shoot They can create an added drive and in the right place will give a couple of months cover. , maize, buckwheat , Cale , chicory, but there are loads of new ones on the market , farmers will help you

Edited December 22, 2013 by gonetoearth

[CorkyJohn 808]

Thanks for the advice, its obviously gonna be better if it benefits the farmer in some way.

[dogs-n-natives 1,182]

There are also grants available for farmers who plant game covers that also benefit wild birds through the winter.

[gonetoearth 5,144]

There are also grants available for farmers who plant game covers that also benefit wild birds through the winter.

. Nothing better than watching goldies and other seed eaters flocking in to benifit from. A good game crop old charlie loves them hares etc. great value from little effort but like anything the can fail so dont count on them

[CBdogsA1 420]

As said above they will bring a new dimension to your shoot. Canary grass takes time to become established but its there for a few years once it is. Stubble turnips grow fast and are very beneficial to the farmer as is kale. Planting a crop that helps the farmer out is great for PR and he would probably help out with the planting etc. A tritikale, quinoa, kale, mustard seed mix is a belter for all the birds in your area.

Points to note are costs, i.e. preparing the ground,weedkiller, machinery, the seed, fertiliser, even a soil sample if you feel you need it. Keeping pest species off like pigeon , crow, hare, rabbit, although you get some extra shooting from this. Oh and don't forget the night time prayers for the weather

 

Good luck

[farmerrow 5]

Being a farmer who runs a shoot. It is wild bird cover which can run for two years if there is enough kale in it after the first year. It is grown under els or hls schemes but it is all about to change. You can grow maize or kale. Kale is very difficult to establish but in my opinion is the best holding cover. Maize is easiest to grow and attracts game very well and if warmed up with sorghum around the outside can give the best of both worlds. Warning if you are going to talk to the farmer about cover on his farm be aware he will probably want at least £400 per acre to do it to cover all his costs. The best way is get him involved in the shooting and come to compromise. If you want any advice ask I grow about 70 acres of game over a year and don't mind helping with advice.